Baku to Istanbul overland holiday
Description of Baku to Istanbul overland holiday
From Baku on the shore of the Caspian Sea to the ancient Kakheti wine region; from fire temples to Georgia’s spectacular Prometheus Cave; from the mountain monasteries of Armenia to the minarets and markets of Istanbul, this holiday is a month of unforgettable sights and experiences. This entire Baku to Istanbul overland holiday runs smoothly thanks to a carefully planned itinerary, and the professional tour leader accompanying you throughout.
You’ll be travelling through the Caucasus countries of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia to Turkey, following a section of the legendary Silk Road. Most journeys are by road with a few trains included, and while the itinerary is necessarily fast-paced to show you as much as possible in a month, you’ll never feel rushed. Crucially, plenty of free time has been factored in for you to explore cities such as Yerevan, Tbilisi and Bursa on your own, or simply to relax in a roadside café and watch scenes of daily life unfold.
At regular intervals you will be met by welcoming local guides, who will show you around key sites such as the tea plantations of Camlihemsin or the Kakheti wine region. They offer a wealth of knowledge not only about Silk Road history but also cultural aspects of the communities where they live. You’ll have the chance to enjoy lunch with a Turkish family, to soak in a hammam beside the locals in Safranbolu, and to stay in a series of locally owned guesthouses. All of these experiences spread the economic benefits of tourism along the Silk Road far better than a simple whistlestop sightseeing tour ever could.
Small group holidays such as this are ideal for couples, friends, and solo travellers alike. Spending a month in the company of likeminded adventurers can lead to lifelong friendships, and you’ll get to know each other well as you cross the Caucasus together and share many memorable experiences. You’ll arrive in Istanbul with an in-depth knowledge of this region’s history, landscapes and ways of life, and thanks to your travelling companions, no doubt plenty of ideas of where your holidays might take you next.
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Responsible Travel
Planet
CARBON REDUCTIONWe are dedicated to creating positive environmental impacts through our Responsible Travel Policy. As an overland company, we ensure exceptionally low carbon emissions on all our journeys. This particular journey spans 4,935 km, departing from Baku and traveling through Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, and Turkey by land, with no flights and their related emissions.
In addition, we strive to use local trains whenever possible, offering our clients a more authentic travel experience while further reducing our environmental footprint.
ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE
Our approach emphasizes sustainability, using experienced local drivers who are familiar with the areas and ensuring that stops are made in smaller, local villages rather than crowded, highly populated areas. This not only supports local economies but also helps avoid over-tourism.
Where possible we do sightseeing on foot in some of the more walkable cities like Yerevan and the small towns we visit through Turkey. Our commitment to sustainability and cultural respect ensures a memorable travel experience that benefits both travelers and the destinations they visit.
People
LOCAL ECONOMYWe partner with local families, which we find not only enriches the overall experience but allows us to understand local traditions and create sound relationships between clients and locals.
We visit local markets where possible, everyone enjoys the experience of the local bazaars, which again helps to serve as an authentic and cultural experience and one, which maintains a closer bond between client and local. We always encourage our group to buy locally and encourage local trade and artistry.
EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY
We have a very clear mandate to support the local community and without these Local Partners our on ground experiences wouldn’t be the same. We have been operating journeys throughout Asia for over 60 years and strive to build on our long established reputation for having the utmost respect for the places and communities that we visit.
We contract the services of Local Guides through our Local Partners. Many of our Tour Leaders are also from local countries which contributes to their career in international tourism.
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